Image processing device, output system, and output method

ABSTRACT

An image processing device including: a controller; a device information generator that generates device information including identification information of a device; and a job executor that is capable of executing a job with predetermined setting on the basis of an external command transmitted from a terminal device, wherein the controller displays the generated device information on the terminal device, and is capable of outputting the job with predetermined setting by controlling the job executor on the basis of the external command transmitted from the terminal device that has read the displayed device information, and the controller determines propriety of display of the device information according to setting of propriety of external command operation for a user who is authenticated as an authenticated user in an operation mode requiring user authentication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an image processing device and thelike.

Description of the Background Art

For example, a multifunction peripheral capable of realizing, in asingle apparatus, a plurality of modes, such as a copy mode, a scanmode, and a fax mode, often includes an operation screen for selecting amode and receiving input and selection of a setting value for theselected mode.

Recently, it has been a primary trend to adopt, as an operation screen,a touch panel display including a display for displaying various typesof information to a user and a touch panel that is disposed on thedisplay in a superimposed manner to detect a position touched by auser's finger. The user can easily and intuitively select a mode orinput and select a setting value for the selected mode by operating thetouch panel while checking the various types of information displayed onthe display.

It is effective to avoid high frequency contact with unspecified personsin order to reduce a risk of various infectious diseases.

For example, operation via an operation screen of a shared multifunctionperipheral in a workplace, a multipurpose multifunction peripheralinstalled in a convenience store or the like, is no exception, and thereis a need for urgent measures to avoid high frequency contact.

As an example for avoiding direct contact with the operation screen of amultifunction peripheral or other device, for example, in prior art, amethod for creating a document job without manually inputtinginformation into a document processing device such as a multifunctionperipheral is known.

The document processing device according to the prior art at leastestablishes a communication link with the document processing device anddisplays encoded data including network interface data for transmittingjob identifiers to the document processing device on its own operationpanel. Then, a mobile device that acquires the encoded data usingvarious methods establishes a communication link with the documentprocessing device by using this network interface data and causes thedocument processing device to execute a document job associated with thejob identifiers.

In the prior art, an encoded data display for displaying the encodeddata along with a job setting buttons, graphical user interface, and thelike is provided on the operation panel such that acquisition of encodeddata by the mobile device is enabled. However, as in the encoded datadisplay according to the prior art, when device information such asencoded data is displayed on the operation panel constantly or each timethe job setting button or the like is used, it may be troublesome for auser who does not use the device information, and it is not necessarilyexcellent in terms of operability.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an excellent operableimage processing device or the like which achieves reduction of troubleaccording to display of device information by determining propriety ofdisplay of device information on the basis of setting applied to eachuser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above problem, an image processing deviceaccording to the present disclosure includes: a controller; a deviceinformation generator that generates device information includingidentification information of a device; and a job executor that iscapable of executing a job with predetermined setting on the basis of anexternal command transmitted from a terminal device, wherein thecontroller displays the generated device information on the terminaldevice, and is capable of outputting the job with predetermined settingby controlling the job executor on the basis of the external commandtransmitted from the terminal device that has read the displayed deviceinformation, and the controller determines propriety of display of thedevice information according to setting of propriety of external commandoperation for a user who is authenticated as an authenticated user in anoperation mode requiring user authentication.

In addition, an image processing device according to the presentdisclosure includes: a controller; a device information generator thatgenerates device information including identification information of adevice; and a job executor that is capable of executing a job withpredetermined setting on the basis of an external command transmittedfrom a terminal device, wherein the controller displays the generateddevice information on the terminal device, and is capable of outputtingthe job with predetermined setting by controlling the job executor onthe basis of the external command transmitted from the terminal devicethat has read the displayed device information, the controllerdetermines propriety of display of the device information on the basisof user information set for each user in an operation mode requiringuser authentication, and the user information includes informationrelated to operation authority to the image processing device.

Furthermore, an image processing device according to the presentdisclosure includes: a controller; a device information generator thatgenerates device information including identification information of adevice; and a job executor that is capable of executing a job withpredetermined setting on the basis of an external command transmittedfrom a terminal device, wherein the controller displays the generateddevice information on the terminal device, and is capable of outputtingthe job with predetermined setting by controlling the job executor onthe basis of the external command transmitted from the terminal devicethat has read the displayed device information, the controllerdetermines propriety of display of the device information on the basisof user information set for each user in an operation mode requiringuser authentication, and the user information includes information fordetermining propriety of display of the device information acquired fromthe terminal device.

An output system according to the present disclosure is an output systemincluding: a terminal device; and an image processing device, whereinthe terminal device includes: a controller; a device informationacquirer that acquires device information including identificationinformation for identifying the image processing device, the controllergenerates a user interface that receives operation setting of the imageprocessing device on the basis of a request by a user, and transmits, asa command, the operation setting received via the user interface, theimage processing device includes: a controller; a device informationgenerator that generates the device information including theidentification information of a device; and a job executor that iscapable of executing a job with predetermined setting on the basis ofthe command, the controller displays the generated device information onthe terminal device, and is capable of outputting the job withpredetermined setting by controlling the job executor on the basis ofthe command transmitted from the terminal device that has read thedisplayed device information, and the controller determines propriety ofdisplay of the device information according to an authentication resultof a user in an operation mode requiring user authentication.

An output method according to the present disclosure includes:generating device information including identification information of adevice; displaying the generated device information on the terminaldevice, and being capable of outputting the job with predeterminedsetting on the basis of an external command transmitted from theterminal device that has read the displayed device information; anddetermining propriety of display of the device information according toan authentication result of a user in an operation mode requiring userauthentication.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide anexcellent operable image processing device or the like which achievesreduction of trouble according to display of device information bydetermining propriety of display of device information on the basis ofsetting applied to each user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configurationof an output system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of amultifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating a configuration example of deviceinformation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of aterminal device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of settinginformation. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a configuration exampleof authentication information.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an overall process according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the multifunctionperipheral according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the multifunctionperipheral according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of anauthentication information table. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating adata configuration example of a command reception setting table. FIG. 9Cis a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a port usesetting table. FIG. 9D is a diagram illustrating a data configurationexample of user information table.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the terminal deviceaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation example according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation example according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation example according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation example according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation example according to thefirst embodiment.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are a diagram illustrating an operation exampleaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an operation example according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation example according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an operation example according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an operation example according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a multifunctionperipheral according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a userinformation table.

FIGS. 23A to 23C are a diagram illustrating an operation exampleaccording to the second embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a multifunctionperipheral according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 25A is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of auser information table. FIG. 25B is a diagram illustrating a dataconfiguration example of display ON/OFF information of deviceinformation.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are a diagram illustrating an operation exampleaccording to the third embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configurationof an output system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of networkservice according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a jobstored in the job storage area.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an overall process according to thefourth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the network serviceaccording to the fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings. In the present disclosure, amultifunction peripheral 10 capable of executing jobs associated with acopy mode, a scan mode, a fax mode, and the like will be described as anexample of an image processing device. The following embodiments areexamples for describing the present disclosure, and the technical scopeof the description in the claims is not limited to the followingdescription.

1 First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configurationof an output system 100 according to a first embodiment. The outputsystem 100 includes a multifunction peripheral 10 serving as an imageprocessing device and a terminal device 30. In the output system 100according to the first embodiment, an external authentication serverthat authenticates a user to the multifunction peripheral 10 can beseparately provided.

1.1 Functional Configuration 1.1.1 Multifunction Peripheral 10

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of themultifunction peripheral 10. The multifunction peripheral 10 includes acontroller 11, a display 13, an operation inputter 15, an outputter 17,a communicator 19, a short-range wireless communicator 21, and a storage23.

The controller 11 controls the overall multifunction peripheral 10. Thecontroller 11 is composed of, for example, one or more arithmeticdevices (such as a central processing units (CPUs).). The controller 11reads and executes various programs stored in the storage 23, so thatfunctions thereof is implemented.

The display 13 displays various types of information to a user or thelike. The display 13 may be configured from, for example, a liquidcrystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display.The display 13 displays device information as described below.

The operation inputter 15 receives input of information performed by theuser or the like. The operation inputter 15 can be composed of ahardware key (for example, a numeric keypad), a button, and the like Theoperation inputter 15 may be configured as a touch panel display thatallows input via the display 13. In this case, examples of a method ofinput to the touch panel display may include a resistive method, aninfrared method, an inductive method, and a capacitive method.

The outputter 17 includes an image former 171 and an image reader 173.The image former 171 forms and outputs an image based on image data(scan data generated by scanning a printed document or electronic datainput from an external device, a portable storage medium, or otherexternal source) on paper as a recording medium. The image former 171may include, for example, a laser printer using an electrophotographicsystem. In this case, the image former 171 forms an image by usingtoners supplied from toner cartridges (not illustrated) corresponding totoner colors (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black).

The image reader 173 generates scan data by scanning the printeddocument to be read and outputs electronic data in a predeterminedformat format (e.g., PDF (portable document format)) on the basis of thescan data. The image reader 173 may be configured as a scanner deviceincluding an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) and acontact image sensor (CIS). The image reader 173 is not limited in itsconfiguration as long as the image reader 173 can output scan data(electronic data) by reading a reflected light image from the printeddocument with an image sensor.

The communicator 19 includes either or both wired and wirelessinterfaces for communication with other device via a LAN (Local areanetwork), a WAN (Wide area network), the Internet, a telephone line, afax line, or the like, for example.

The short-range wireless communicator 21 communicates with other devicesuch as the terminal device 30 via a short-range wireless communicationprotocol such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registeredtrademark), infrared, Near field communication (NFC), and RFID (Radiofrequency identification), and acquires authentication information, anexternal command, or the like, described below. In a case where theauthentication information is obtained from an IC (Integrated circuit)card or an ID (Identity/Identification Card) card such as a magneticcard, a card reader capable of obtaining such card information can beincluded in the short-range wireless communicator 21. Some of thefunctions of the short-range wireless communicator 21 can be performedby the communicator 19.

The storage 23 stores various types of data and various programsrequired for operation of the multifunction peripheral 10.

The storage 23 may be formed of, for example, a storage device such as arandom access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive(SSD), and a read only memory (ROM).

In the first embodiment, the storage 23 stores an outputter controlprogram 231, a display processing program 232, a cooperation applicationprogram 233, a user authentication program 234, a device informationgeneration program 235, and a device information display proprietydetermination program 236, and ensures a device setting value storagearea 237, and a user information storage area 238.

The outputter control program 231 is a program that is read by thecontroller 11 when the outputter 17 is controlled. The controller 11that has read the outputter control program 231 controls the outputter17 and executes a job by printing output by the image former 171 andelectronic data output by the image reader 173.

The display processing program 232 is, for example, a program read bythe controller 11 when display of a home screen (described below) and asetting screen based on each operation mode on the display 13 iscontrolled. The controller 11 that has read the display processingprogram 232 displays a display screen including device information onthe display 13 at any timing of device startup, sleep mode recovery,auto clear, or user authentication when authentication mode is enabled.The auto clear in the present disclosure is a process that is executedwhen the job itself is cancelled or when the input or selection of asetting value pertaining to job execution is cancelled. Generally, autoclear can be executed by selection of an “auto clear button” provided onthe display screen. The controller 11 that has read the displayprocessing program 232 restricts display of device information on thedisplay screen in a case where setting applied to an authenticated usermeets a predetermined condition. The control of the display of thedevice information on the display screen will be described below.

The cooperation application program 233 is a program that is read by thecontroller 11 when cooperation with the terminal device 30 is started.The controller 11 reads the cooperation application program 233 toreceive a command including setting information and the like(hereinafter sometimes referred to as an external command) transmittedfrom the terminal device 30.

Herein, the “cooperation” denotes that at least two devices worktogether while sharing information in order to obtain a single result.In the first embodiment, the setting information pertaining to jobexecution set by the terminal device 30 is transmitted as the externalcommand to the multifunction peripheral 10. The multifunction peripheral10 can share setting information pertaining to job execution with theterminal device 30 by acquiring the setting information.

In order for the multifunction peripheral 10 and the terminal device 30to cooperate, connection must be established between the multifunctionperipheral 10 and the terminal device 30 to communicate in bothdirections. The connection established between the multifunctionperipheral 10 and the terminal device 30 may be limited to connectiononly during operation of the cooperation application program 233, or maybe always maintained while the devices are in operation. Furthermore,the connection may be established only when necessary communication isperformed.

The user authentication program 234 is a program that is read by thecontroller 11 when a user who logs into the multifunction peripheral 10is authenticated. In a case where the authentication function is on, thecontroller 11 that has read the user authentication program 234authenticates the user who logs into the device on the basis of theauthentication information received for input via a login screendescribed below. In addition to knowledge authentication such ascombination of a login user name and a login password of a userattempting to log in to the device, the user authentication can also beperformed by biometric authentication using the terminal device 30 suchas a cell phone, a smart phone, and a tablet, possession authenticationusing an ID card such as an IC card and a magnetic card, facerecognition, and fingerprint recognition.

The device information generation program 235 is a program read by thecontroller 11 when the device information including the identificationinformation of the multifunction peripheral 10 is generated. The deviceinformation pertaining to the present disclosure includes, at least,items related to the setting of the multifunction peripheral 10 requiredfor inputting setting information at the terminal device 30, as well asitems related to the connection such as identification information ofthe multifunction peripheral 10 and session keys. The controller 11 thathas read the device information generation program 235 generates thisinformation as encoded information and characters (such as numbers,English letters, kana, hiragana, kanji, symbols). Examples of theencoded information include a one-dimensional code such as a bar code(e.g., an EAN code, a JAN code, Codbar, CODE 128), or a two-dimensionalcode. Examples of the two-dimensional code include a stackedtwo-dimensional code (e.g., PDF 417 or CODE 49), or a matrixtwo-dimensional code (e.g., a quick response code (QR Code (registeredtrademark)), Data Matrix, Veri Code, or Aztec). In the followingdescription, a quick response code (QR code (registered trademark).) isused as an example of the device information.

The controller 11 updates the device information on a regular orirregular basis. For example, the controller 11 may update a driverprogram for the multifunction peripheral 10, and updates the deviceinformation in order to correspond to an added new function. Forexample, the device information may also be updated when informationrelated to connection such as a network address (IP address) or the likeis updated or changed with change in the device installation location.

Herein, a configuration example of the device information will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3 . The device information illustratedin FIG. 3 includes “name”, “type”, and “version” as interface(I/F)-related item, “color mode”, “transmission destination”, “settingof reading”, “image orientation”, and the like as multifunctionperipheral-related item, and “device ID”, “session key”, “installationcountry”, and the like as connection-related item, all items of whichare described in specific formats. The terminal device 30 may read anddecode the encoded device information to acquire the device informationof the multifunction peripheral 10. The terminal device 30 can beconnected to the multifunction peripheral 10 on the basis of theacquired device information.

The device information items and the values thereof illustrated in FIG.3 are only examples, and the device information according to the presentdisclosure is not limited to the illustration in FIG. 3 . For example, apersonal identification number (PIN) or a one-time password generated bya token may be included in the device information to establish secureconnection.

The device information display propriety determination program 236 is aprogram read by the controller 11 when whether or not the deviceinformation should be displayed on the display screen is determined. Thecontroller 11 that has read the device information display proprietydetermination program 236 determines the display propriety of the deviceinformation in accordance with the setting for the authenticated user.The determination as to the display propriety of the device informationwill be described later.

The device setting value storage area 237 is a storage area where devicesetting values pertaining to generation of the device information arestored. The controller 11 that has read the device informationgeneration program 235 generates the device information by reading thedevice setting values (e.g., setting values related to “color mode”,“transmission destination”, “read setting”, “image orientation”, and thelike) stored in the device setting value storage area 237.

The user information storage area 238 is a storage area whereauthentication information for user authentication and a table relatedto setting applied to authenticated users (e.g., user information, acommand reception setting table, and the like, as described below) arestored. For example, in a form in which the user authentication isperformed by inputting the combination of a login user name and a loginpassword on a login screen, the user information storage area 238 storesthe combination of the login user name and the login password of thelogin user to be authenticated as the authenticated user. The tablestored by the user information storage area 238 is information in whichthe controller 11 refers to when the display propriety of the deviceinformation is determined, and is, for example, information in whichON/OFF of the display of the device information is set for eachauthenticated user.

1.1.2 Terminal Device 30

The terminal device 30 according to the present disclosure may beconfigured as, for example, a mobile terminal device such as asmartphone, a tablet, a cell phone, and a notebook computer. Theterminal device 30 is configured as a device that has combination of atleast a function of providing a (graphical) user interface, acommunication function, and a function unique to a mobile terminaldevice.

FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the terminal device 30.The terminal device 30 includes a controller 31, a display 33, anoperation inputter 35, a communicator 37, a short-range wirelesscommunicator 39, an imager/scanner 41, and a storage 43.

The controller 31 controls the overall terminal device 30. Thecontroller 31 is composed of, for example, one or more arithmeticdevices (such as CPUs), and the controller 31 reads and executes variousprograms stored in the storage 43 to perform functions thereof.

The display 33 displays various types of information to a user or thelike. The display 33 may be constituted by, for example, an LCD, anorganic EL display or the like. The display 33 can display, for example,an application screen as a reception screen for receiving job setting onthe basis of display control by the controller 11 that has read acooperation application program 431.

The operation inputter 35 receives input of information performed by theuser or the like. The operation inputter 35 may be configured as a touchpanel display that enables input via the display 33. In this case,examples of a method of input to the touch panel display may include aresistive method, an infrared method, an inductive method, and acapacitive method.

The communicator 37 includes either or both wired and wirelessinterfaces for communication with other device via a LAN, a WAN, theInternet, a telephone line, or the like.

As long as the short-range wireless communicator 39 can use short-rangewireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark),Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared, NFC, RFID, or the like, forexample, and can transmit authentication information, a command, or thelike by communicating with other devices such as the multifunctionperipheral 10, there are no restrictions on the configuration of theshort-range wireless communicator 39. Some of the functions of theshort-range wireless communicator 39 can be performed by thecommunicator 37.

Examples of the imager/scanner 41 include an imaging device such as acamera, and a scanning device using a laser beam. In a case where themultifunction peripheral 10 displays device information on the basis ofcontrol by the controller 31 that has read a device informationacquisition program 433, the imager/scanner 41 acquires the deviceinformation. There are no restrictions on the configuration of theimager/scanner 41 as long as the imager/scanner is capable of acquiringthe device information for the multifunction peripheral 10. In a casewhere the configuration is a configuration of providing deviceinformation in the form of electronic data, the device information canalso be acquired via the short-range wireless communicator 39.

The storage 43 stores various programs and various types of datarequired for operation of the terminal device 30. The storage 43 may becomposed of a storage device such as a RAM, an HDD, an SSD, and a ROM.

In the first embodiment, the storage 43 stores the cooperationapplication program 431, the device information acquisition program 433,and an authentication information transmission program 435, and ensuresan authentication information storage area 437, and a setting valuestorage area 439.

The cooperation application program 431 is a program that is read by thecontroller 31 when cooperation with the multifunction peripheral 10 isstarted. The controller 31 can generate an application screen thatreceives setting for a job to be executed by the multifunctionperipheral 10 and output an instruction to execute a job to themultifunction peripheral 10 by reading the cooperation applicationprogram 431.

The controller 31 that has read the cooperation application program 431generates setting information used for job execution on the basis ofvarious setting values inputted and selected via the generatedapplication screen. Then, the controller 31 transmits the generatedsetting information as an external command to the multifunctionperipheral 10 by using the necessary connection information included inthe device information acquired from the multifunction peripheral 10.

Herein, FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of thesetting information to be transmitted as the external command by thecontroller 31. FIG. 5A illustrates setting items including a group of“mode”, “transmission destination”, “reading setting”, “imageorientation”, “color mode” that are inputted and selected via theapplication screen or other means, as a configuration example of thesetting information. The controller 31 transmits these settinginformation as the external command to the multifunction peripheral 10on the basis of the device ID: “jv6Ou3QBGv8w6yNtGt”, session key:“1qazxsw23edcvfr45tgbnhy67ujm,ki8----” and other connection informationacquired from the device information of the multifunction peripheral 10.

The device information acquisition program 433 is a program read by thecontroller 31 when the device information is acquired from themultifunction peripheral 10. The controller 31 that has read the deviceinformation acquisition program 433 acquires the device information fromthe multifunction peripheral 10 by controlling the imager/operationacceptor 41 and the short-range wireless communicator 39.

The authentication information transmission program 435 is a programthat is read by the controller 31 when a user logs into themultifunction peripheral 10 via the terminal device 30. When a user whouses the terminal device 30 attempts to log in to the multifunctionperipheral 10 without going through the login screen provided by themultifunction peripheral 10, for example, the controller 31 that hasread the authentication information transmission program 435 transmitsthe authentication information illustrated in FIG. 5B to themultifunction peripheral 10. FIG. 5B is an example that includes user ID“0001”, password “*****”, and user name “Ai Ueo” as authenticationinformation. The authentication information can be transmitted via theshort-range wireless communicator 39 or the communicator 37.

The authentication information storage area 437 is a storage area wherethe authentication information to be transmitted to the multifunctionperipheral 10 is stored.

The setting value storage area 439 is a storage area where a settingvalue pertaining to execution of a job is stored. The setting valuestored in the setting value storage area 439 may be read out asappropriate when the controller 31 generates the setting information.

1.2 Flow of Process 1.2.1 Overall Process

Now, an overall process according to the first embodiment will bedescribed with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 6 .

First, the multifunction peripheral 10 starts cooperation application onthe basis of an activation instruction issued by a user (Step S10). Thecooperation application of the multifunction peripheral 10 is notlimited to input of a startup instruction by the user, but can also beautomatically started, for example, at the time of device startup,recovery from a sleep mode, or auto-clear.

The user inputs a startup instruction of the cooperation application byoperating the terminal device 30 (Step S12).

For example, in a case where user authentication is required in theoperation of the cooperation application in the multifunction peripheral10, the terminal device 30 transmits authentication information to themultifunction peripheral 10 (Step S14).

When the authentication information is received, the multifunctionperipheral 10 performs the user authentication to a device informationdisplay propriety determination process (Step S16). Details of theprocess pertaining to Step S16 will be described below.

In a case where the user authentication is successful and the display ofdevice information is enabled, the multifunction peripheral 10 displaysthe device information (Step S18). Then, the multifunction peripheral 10transmits, to the terminal device 30, a response signal indicating thatthe user authentication is successful (Step S20).

Upon receipt of the response signal from the multifunction peripheral10, the terminal device 30 starts the cooperation application (StepS22).

The user inputs various setting values required to execute a job via theapplication screen provided by the cooperation application of theterminal device 30 (Step S24).

The terminal device 30 receives the various input setting values andstores the received setting values in the setting value storage area 439(Step S26).

Next, when the user selects a start button as job execution instructioninput (Step S28), the terminal device 30 acquires the device informationfrom the multifunction peripheral 10 (Step S30).

The terminal device 30 generates setting information on the basis of thestored various setting values. Then, the terminal device 30 transmitsthe generated setting information as an external command to themultifunction peripheral 10, using necessary connection informationincluded in the device information acquired from the multifunctionperipheral 10 (Step S32). In addition to the setting informationpertaining to the job execution, the external command to be transmittedto the multifunction peripheral 10 may include other information such asan execution instruction command for job, an instruction, and the like.

The multifunction peripheral 10 then executes the job on the basis ofthe received external command (Step S34).

1.2.2 Process of Multifunction Peripheral 10

Now, a process of the multifunction peripheral 10 will be described withreference to a flowchart in FIG. 7 . First, the controller 11 of themultifunction peripheral 10 determines whether or not the device stateis device startup or recovery from a sleep mode (Step S100).

In a case where the controller 11 determines that the device state isthe device startup or the recovery from the sleep mode, the controller11 starts a device startup process. Specifically, the controller 11reads the cooperation application program 233 and starts the cooperationapplication (Yes in Step S100→Step S110).

On the other hand, in a case where the controller 11 determines that thedevice state is not the device startup or the recovery from the sleepmode, the controller 11 determines whether or not the device state isinput of auto clear (No in Step S100→Step S120).

In a case where the controller 11 determines that the device state isthe input of auto clear, the controller 11 shifts the process to StepS130 (Yes in Step S120→Step S130). On the other hand, in a case wherethe controller 11 determines that the device state is not the input ofauto clear, the controller 11 shifts the process to Step S210 (No inStep S120→Step S210).

Next, the controller 11 performs user authentication to deviceinformation display propriety determination (Step S130). The userauthentication to the device information display propriety determinationin Step S130 will be described with the next figure.

When the user authentication to the device information display proprietydetermination are terminated, the controller 11 determines whether ornot, for example, a driver program, a session key, or other informationrelated to the connection is updated (Step S140). In a case where thereare the updated information and the like, the controller 11 reads thedevice information generation program 235, and updates the deviceinformation on the basis of the updated information (Yes in StepS140→Step S150).

Then, the controller 11 displays a display screen including the deviceinformation updated in Step S150 on the display 13 (Step S160).

On the other hand, in a case where there are no updated information andthe like, the controller 11 does not update the device information, anddisplays this device information on the display 13 (No in Step S140→StepS160).

Next, the controller 11 determines whether or not a “close button”provided on the display screen including the device information isselected (Step S170). In a case where the “close button” is notselected, the controller 11 issues a request for acquiring a job (No inStep S170→Step S180).

Then, the controller 11 determines whether or not a job is acquired(Step S180). When it is determined that the job is acquired from theterminal device 30, the controller 11 executes the acquired job andterminates the process (Yes in Step S190→Step S200). When it isdetermined that the job is not acquired from the terminal device 30, thecontroller 11 returns the process to Step S170 (No in Step S190→StepS170).

In a case where the “close button” is selected, the controller 11displays a home screen (Yes in Step S170→Step S210). In this case, thecontroller 11 does not output the job acquired from the terminal device30.

Then, the controller 11 determines whether or not a job executioninstruction is received via the home screen (Step S220). In a case whereit is determined that the job execution instruction is input by the uservia the home screen, the controller 11 executes the job and terminatesthe process (Yes in Step S220→Step S200). In a case where the jobexecution instruction is not input, the controller 11 continues todisplay the home screen (No in Step S220→Step S210).

Next, the user authentication to the device information displaypropriety determination in Step S130 in FIG. 7 will be described withreference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 . The controller 11 reads the userauthentication program 234, the device information display proprietydetermination program 236, and the like, so that the process describedherein can be executed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the user authentication to deviceinformation display propriety determination. First, the controller 11determines whether the authentication mode for user authentication isenabled (ON). The authentication mode can be enabled/disabled, forexample, by an administrator user with administrative authority via thesettings screen or the like described below.

In a case where the authentication mode is enabled and, for example, anauthentication process is performed on the basis of the authenticationinformation input via the login screen, the controller 11 displays thelogin screen (authentication screen) on the display 13 (Step S310).

The controller 11 then receives input of a login user name and a loginpassword as the authentication information via the login screen (StepS320). The controller 11 stores the login user name and the loginpassword in association with each other, and performs the userauthentication by checking the login user name and the login password,the input of which is received in Step S320.

Herein, FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a data configuration exampleof an authentication information table stored in the user informationstorage area 238. The authentication information table includes, forexample, “ID”, (login) “password”, and (login) “user name” to uniquelyidentify a user. The controller 11 can perform the user authenticationby checking the authentication information table for the combination ofthe login user name and the login password received via the loginscreen.

In a case where the user authentication is successful as a result ofchecking the login user name and the login password, the controller 11refers to external command reception setting (Yes in Step S330→StepS340). The login user successfully authenticated is referred to as anauthenticated user. On the other hand, in a case where the userauthentication is not successful, the controller 11 returns the processto Step S320 (No in Step S330→Step S320).

Herein, the external command reception setting referenced by thecontroller 11 will be described. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating adata configuration example of the command reception setting tableaccording to the first embodiment.

The command reception setting table illustrated in FIG. 9B includes“ID”, “password”, “user name”, and “command reception YES/No”. The “ID”,the “password”, and the “username” are the same items included in theauthentication information table illustrated in FIG. 9A. The “commandreception YES/No” is an item that indicates whether or not an externalcommand can be received by each authenticated user as YES or No. Forexample, for the authenticated user with “user name Ai Ueo” pertainingto “ID 0001”, the “command reception YES/No” is set to “YES”. In thiscase, in a case where the user with “user name Ai Ueo” is logged intothe multifunction peripheral 10 as the authenticated user, thecontroller 11 receives the external command transmitted from theterminal device 30. On the other hand, in a case where the user with“user name Tachi Tsuteto” is logged into the multifunction peripheral 10as the authenticated user, the controller 11 does not receive theexternal command transmitted from the terminal device 30.

In a case where as the result of the reference to the external commandreception setting, the setting of the external command reception for theauthenticated user is “YES”, the controller 11 refers to the port usesetting (Yes in Step S350→Step S360).

Herein, the port use setting according to the first embodiment is to setthe availability of a port (port number) for identifying services(application processes and threads) on TCP/UDP. FIG. 9C is a diagramillustrating a data configuration example of the port use setting tableaccording to the first embodiment.

The port use setting table illustrated in FIG. 9C includes “ID”,“password”, “user name”, and “port port No./NO”. The “ID”, the“password”, and the “username” are the same items included in theauthentication information table illustrated in FIG. 9A. The “port portNo./NO” is an item indicating the availability of the port number foreach authenticated user as port No. or “NO” indicating that the port isnot available. For example, for the authenticated user with “user nameAi Ueo” pertaining to “ID 0001”, the “port port No./NO” is set to “portNo. 1”. In this case, in a case where the user with “user name Ai Ueo”is logged in to the multifunction peripheral 10 as the authenticateduser, the controller 11 permits the use of port No. 1. On the otherhand, in a case where the user with “user name Tachi Tsuteto” is loggedinto the multifunction peripheral 10 as the authenticated user, thecontroller 11 disables the use of the port because the “port portNo./NO” is set to “NO”.

In the illustration in FIG. 9C, the port No. is illustrated asfictitious port No. such as “port No. 1” and “port No. 3”, for example,to facilitate understanding. However, it is also acceptable to use aspecific system port (well-known port) number such as “port No. 80(https)”, “port No. 443 (https)” and “port No. 21 (ftp)”, otherregistered port numbers, a private number, or the like. It is alsopossible to set the availability of a protocol such as “http” “https”,“smtp”, and “pop”, for each authenticated user in addition to orseparately from port No.

In a case where, as a result of the reference to the port use setting,the port use setting for the authenticated user is acceptable (OK), thecontroller 11 refers to user information table (Yes in Step S370→StepS380).

Herein, the user information according to the present disclosure is thesetting to turn on/off the display of the device information for eachauthenticated user. For example, FIG. 9D is a diagram illustrating adata configuration example of the user information table according tothe first embodiment.

The user information table illustrated in FIG. 9D includes “ID”,“password”, “user name”, and “device information ON/OFF”. The “ID”, the“password”, and the “username” are the same items included in theauthentication information table illustrated in FIG. 9A. The “deviceinformation ON/OFF” is an item that represents the display ornon-display of the device information for each authenticated user as“ON/OFF”. For example, for the authenticated user with “user name AiUeo” pertaining to “ID 0001”, the “device information ON/OFF” is set to“ON”. In this case, in a case where the user with “user name Ai Ueo” islogged into the multifunction peripheral 10 as the authenticated user,the controller 11 displays the device information. On the other hand, ina case where the user with “user name Tachi Tsuteto” is logged into themultifunction peripheral 10 as the authenticated user, the controller 11does not display the device information because the “device informationON/OFF” is set to “OFF”.

In a case where, as a result of the reference to the user informationtable, the device information is ON, the controller 11 proceeds to StepS140 in FIG. 7 (Yes in Step S390→Step S140 in FIG. 7 ).

In a case where the external command reception is “NO” (No in StepS350), in a case where the port use is “NO” (Step S370; No), or in acase where the device information display is “OFF” (No in Step S390),the controller 11 displays the home screen without displaying the deviceinformation (Step S210 in FIG. 7 ) and executes Step S220 and subsequentprocesses.

1.2.3 Process of Terminal Device 30

Now, a flow of the process of the terminal device 30 will be describedwith reference to the flowchart in FIG. 10 . The controller 31 of theterminal device 30 determines whether or not the user receives aninstruction to start the cooperation application program 431 (StepS500).

In a case where the controller 31 determines that the user receives theinstruction to start the cooperation application program 431, thecontroller 31 transmits the authentication information to themultifunction peripheral 10 (Yes in Step S500→Step S510).

The controller 31 then determines whether or not a response signalindicating that the authentication is successful is received from themultifunction peripheral 10 (Step S520). When it is determined that theresponse signal is received, the controller 31 displays the applicationscreen as a user interface on the display 33 by reading the cooperationapplication program 431 (Step S530). When it is determined that noresponse signal is received, the controller 31 waits until the responsesignal is received (No in Step S520).

Subsequently, the controller 31 determines whether or not the userselects a copy job via the application screen (Step S540). When it isdetermined that the user selects the copy job, the controller 31displays a copy job execution screen on the display 33 (Yes in StepS540→Step S550).

The controller 31 receives input of a setting value via the copy jobexecution screen displayed in Step S550 (Step S560). Then, thecontroller 31 stores the received setting value in the setting valuestorage area 439 (Step S570).

The controller 31 determines whether or not the user selects the “startbutton” (Step S580). In a case where it is determined that the “startbutton” is selected by the user, the controller 31 acquires the deviceinformation from the multifunction peripheral 10 (Yes in Step S580→StepS590). That is, after the selection of the start key, the controller 31reads the device information acquisition program 433 and acquires thedevice information displayed on the display 13 of the multifunctionperipheral 10.

Next, the controller 31 generates setting information from the varioussetting values stored in the setting value storage area 439, transmitsthe setting information by using the necessary connection informationincluded in the device information acquired in Step S590 (Step S600),and terminates the process.

In a case where it is determined in Step S540 that the copy job is notselected by the user, the controller 31 determines whether or not a scanjob is selected (No in Step S540→Step S610). In a case where it isdetermined that the scan job is selected, the controller 31 displays thescan job execution screen on the display 33 (Yes in Step S610→StepS620). After the scan job execution screen is displayed on the display33, the controller 31 executes Step S560 and subsequent processes.

In a case where it is determined in Step S610 that no scan job isselected by the user, the controller 31 determines whether or not anyother job (e.g., a fax job) is selected (No in Step S610→Step S630). Ina case where it is determined that other job is selected, the controller31 displays the job execution screen for the other job (Yes in StepS630→Step S640) and executes Step 560 and the subsequent process.

1.3 Operation Example

Now, an operation example according to the first embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example ofa login screen W10 displayed on the display 13 when the controller 11 ofthe multifunction peripheral 10 reads the user authentication program234. This operation example corresponds to the process in Step S310 ofFIG. 8 .

The login screen W10 includes a login user name input box Bx10, a loginpassword input box Bx12, a login button B10, and a cancel button B22.

The login user name input box Bx10 is a box that receives input of alogin user name of a user who attempts to log into the multifunctionperipheral 10.

The login password input box Bx12 is a box that receives input of alogin password associated with the login user name of the user whoattempts to log into the multifunction peripheral 10.

The login button B10 is a button that receives an instruction to confirman input content to the login user name input box Bx10 and the loginpassword input box Bx12 by the user. The cancel button B22 is a buttonthat receives input of a cancellation instruction for the authenticationprocess. The user can input an execution instruction for theauthentication process by selecting the login button B10 after inputtingthe login user name in the login user name input box Bx10 and inputtingthe login password in the login password input box Bx12.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another mode of the login screen. Alogin screen W20 includes a selection button display area R10 thatdisplays a selection button assigned to each user who attempts to loginto the multifunction peripheral 10.

The selection button illustrated in the selection button display areaR10 is created as an icons for each user on the basis of the user'sauthentication information (e.g., the login user name, the e-mailaddress, and the login password) registered via a user addition/editingscreen (not illustrated).

A user who attempts to log into the multifunction peripheral 10 selectsthe icon (selection button) representing him or her. The loginauthentication can then be performed by inputting the login password viaa login password input screen (not illustrated) that is displayed byselecting the icon. By selecting the icon representing the user, thelogin screen W20 can eliminate the need to input the login user name andperform a login process easily and quickly.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a homescreen W30 that is displayed on the display 13 by the controller 11 inStep S210 of FIG. 7 . The home screen W30 is a basic screen thatreceives selection of a job and selection of various function display bythe user, for example. The home screen W30 includes job/functionselection buttons B14, a display feed button B16, a job status buttonB18, and a login user name display area R12.

The job/function selection buttons B14 receives the selection of the jobor function display, or the like, desired by the user. For example, whenthe user selects a “simple copy” button among the job/function selectionbuttons B14, the controller 11 displays a job execution screen (notillustrated) for setting the “simple copy”. The job/function selectionbutton B14 in the first embodiment also includes a remote operationbutton B20 for enabling a screen transition to a display screen W40described with the next figure. When the user selects a remote operationbutton B20, the controller 11 shifts the screen display to the displayscreen W40 to enable use of an output method according to the presentdisclosure. The job/function selection buttons that are not displayed onthe screen can be displayed by selecting the display feed button B16.The configuration example of the display of the job/function selectionbuttons B14 in FIG. 13 is only an example, and the configuration of thejob/function selection buttons B14 is not limited to the illustration inFIG. 13 .

The job status button B18 receives an instruction input for notifying aprogress status of a job executed by the multifunction peripheral 10, areservation status, or the like. When the user selects the job statusbutton B18, the controller 11 displays the progress status, thereservation status, and the like of the job which are not illustrated.

The login user name display area R12 is a display area where the username of the authenticated user who is logged into the multifunctionperipheral 10 (in the example in FIG. 12 , the authenticated user withthe login user name “Ai Ueo”) is displayed.

FIG. 14 illustrates a configuration example of the display screen W40that is displayed on the display 13 by the multifunction peripheral 10.This operation example corresponds to the process of Step S160 in FIG. 7, and the display screen W40 is displayed at the time of device startup,sleep mode recovery or auto clear, or in a case where the remoteoperation button B20 on the home screen W30 is selected.

The display screen W40 includes an operation procedure display area R14and a close button B22. The operation procedure display area R14 is anarea for describing an operation procedure of the output methodaccording to the first embodiment by an illustration or an animation. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 14 , the operation procedure isdescribed in the following order: (1) document set, (2) setting in aterminal device, and (3) job execution.

The operation procedure display area R14 includes a device informationdisplay area R16 where the device information of the multifunctionperipheral 10 is displayed. In the first embodiment, an example in whicha quick response (QR) code is used as encoded information representingthe device information will be described. The QR code (registeredtrademark) is a two-dimensional code representing data in a graphicalform. In addition to the QR code, the information encoded using one ormore of a barcode, a symbol, and an alphanumeric character may also beused as the device information. In the first embodiment, the deviceinformation displayed in the device information display area R16 isdisplayed in a case where the authentication mode according to the userauthentication is enabled and the setting for receiving an externalcommand for an authenticated user, port use, and device informationdisplay are all enabled.

The terminal device 30 can execute a job by reading the QR codedisplayed as the device information in the device information displayarea R16 by an imaging device such as a camera or a scanning deviceusing a laser beam.

The close button B22 is a button that receives selection when the userdesires the execution of the job via the normal home screen withoutusing the output method according to the present disclosure. When theclose button B22 is selected, the controller 11 displays the home screenW30 on the display 13.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display configuration example of thedevice information display area R16 in a case where the deviceinformation display is set to “disabled” (OFF). In a case where thedisplay of the device information is disabled (for example, in a casewhere the authenticated user is “Kaki Kukeko” and only the display ofthe device information is “OFF” setting (see FIG. 9 )), a messagementioning that “QR code is restricted. Please operate from a body ofthe multifunction peripheral.” is displayed in the device informationdisplay area R16. Consequently, the user can know that operation fromthe body of the multifunction peripheral 10 is required without usingthe device information. In this case, the user can select the closebutton B22 to display the home screen W30 and then instruct the user toexecute the job. In a case where only the display of the deviceinformation is set to “disabled (OFF)”, control for performingtransition to the home screen W30 without displaying the above messagein the device information display area R16 may be performed.

FIG. 16A is a configuration example of an application screen W50 that isdisplayed on the display 33 by the controller 31 of the terminal device30 after receiving a startup instruction of the cooperation applicationprogram 431 by the user. This operation example corresponds to theprocess in Step S530 of FIG. 10 . The application screen W50 includes amenu display area R18 and a favorite list display area R20.

The menu display area R18 includes a copy job selection button, a scanjob selection button B24, and a fax job selection button. The copy jobselection button receives selection of a copy job by a user. When thecopy job selection button is selected, the controller 31 can determinethat the copy job is selected by the user. When the copy job selectionbutton is selected, the controller 31 displays a copy job executionscreen (not illustrated) on the display 33.

The scan job selection button B24 receives the selection of the scan jobby the user. When the scan job selection button B24 is selected, thecontroller 31 can determine that a scan job is selected by the user.When the scan job selection button B24 is selected, the controller 31displays the scan job execution screen W50 a on the display 33.

The fax job selection button receives the user's selection of a fax job.When the fax job selection button is selected, the controller 31 candetermine that the fax job is selected by the user. When the fax jobselection button is selected, the controller 31 displays a fax jobexecution screen (not illustrated), on the display 33.

The favorite list display area R20 displays items frequently used by theuser in a list format. The ascending and descending order display of thefavorite list can be switched by a sort button B26.

FIG. 16B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the scanjob execution screen W50 a displayed by the controller 31 in response tothe selection of the scan job selection button B24 included in the menudisplay area R18. The scan job execution screen W50 a includes a settingvalue setting area R22 and a start button B28.

The setting value setting area R22 is an area where input and selectionof destination information and a setting value for scan job execution isreceived. The setting value setting area R22 includes setting itemsassociated with the scan job execution such as items “input address” forreceiving input and selection of an address serving as destinationinformation, “transmission to own address”, “setting of reading”, “imageorientation”, and “color mode”. The user can input and selectdestination information and setting values for a scan job via thesetting value setting area R22.

The start button B28 is a button that receives input of an instructionto execute a scan job. After completing the input of the destinationinformation and the setting values in the setting value setting areaR22, the user can select the start button B28 to transmit the scan jobexecution instruction to the multifunction peripheral 10.

FIG. 17 illustrates a configuration example of a device informationacquisition screen displayed by the controller 31 of the terminal device30 when the start button B28 of the scan job execution screen W50 a isselected and the device information being displayed in the multifunctionperipheral 10 is acquired. A device information acquisition screen W60 aincludes a device information acquisition area R24 and a status displayarea R26.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 , the device information acquisition area R24may be configured as a guideline that guides the user such that, whenthe device information to be acquired is encoded information such as aQR code (registered trademark), the encoded information falls within areading area of the imaging device or the scanning device. The useroperates the terminal device 30 such that the encoded information suchas a QR code (registered trademark) falls within the device informationacquisition area R24.

The status display area R26 is an area where an operation or a jobprogress status (status) to the user is displayed. For example, thestatus display area R26 on the device information acquisition screen W60a is an example in which a message indicating that the QR code(registered trademark) is to be read while the QR code (registeredtrademark) falls within the device information acquisition area R24 isdisplayed.

When the QR code (registered trademark) is read and the deviceinformation is acquired, the controller 31 shifts the device informationacquisition screen W60 a to a device information acquisition screen W60b. On the device information acquisition screen W60 b, a messageindicating that a job is being transmitted to the multifunctionperipheral 10 is displayed in the status display area R26.

After the transmission of the job to the multifunction peripheral 10 iscompleted, the controller 31 shifts the display screen to a deviceinformation acquisition screen W60 c. On the device informationacquisition screen W60 c, a message indicating that the transmission ofthe job is completed is displayed in the status display area R26.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of anauthentication mode setting screen W70 for receiving setting ofenabling/disabling of the authentication mode for the userauthentication. The authentication mode setting screen W70 includes anON button B28 for receiving the setting to enable (ON) theauthentication mode and an OFF button B30 for receiving the setting todisable (OFF) the authentication mode.

The user can enable/disable the authentication mode by selecting eitherthe ON button B28 or the OFF button B30.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an externalcommand reception setting screen W80 that receives setting for receivingor not receiving an external command for each authenticated user. Theexternal command reception setting screen W80 includes a permissionbutton B32 that receives setting of allowing (YES) the reception of anexternal command and a prohibition button B34 that receives setting ofdisallowing (NO) the reception of an external command.

The user can set whether or not to receive an external command for eachauthenticated user by selecting either the permission button B32 or theprohibition button B34. The setting content received on the externalcommand reception setting screen W80 is stored in the command receptionsetting table.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a port usesetting screen W90 that receives port use setting for each authenticateduser. The port use setting screen W90 includes a permission button B36that receives setting of allowing the use of a port (port number) and aprohibition button B38 that receives setting of disallowing (NO) the useof a port (port number).

The user can perform port use setting for each authenticated user byselecting either the permission button B36 or the prohibition buttonB38. The setting content received on the port use setting screen W90 isstored in the port use setting table. Alternatively, the port usesetting table to store the available port setting for the device itselfmay be provided. In this case, the same port availability is applied toany user on the basis of the setting in the table.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, with theauthentication mode enabled, the display of the device information iscontrolled on the basis of the setting applied to each authenticateduser such as reception of an external command and port use, so that itis possible to reduce the trouble associated with the display of thedevice information. Consequently, it is possible to provide an imageprocessing device or the like with excellent operability.

2 Second Embodiment

A second embodiment is a form in which different operation authority canbe applied to each authenticated user.

2.1 Functional Configuration

A functional configuration of a multifunction peripheral according tothe second embodiment can be substantially similar to that of themultifunction peripheral 10 according to the first embodiment. Afunctional configuration of a terminal device can also be substantiallysimilar to that of the terminal device 30 according to the firstembodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, identicalconfigurations will be marked with the same reference numerals and thedescription thereof will be omitted.

2.2 Flow of Process 2.2.1 Process of Multifunction Peripheral 10

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the processafter the process pertaining to user authentication in Step S330 of FIG.8 . Therefore, Step S330 and subsequent processes will be described withreference to the flowchart in FIG. 21 .

In a case where user authentication is successful in Step S330, acontroller 11 refers to a user information table (Yes in Step S330→StepS380). On the other hand, in a case where the user authentication is notsuccessful, the controller 11 returns the process to Step S320 (No inStep S330→Step S320).

The controller 11 refers to the user information table to determine adevice information type A for each authenticated user (Step S400).

In a case where it is determined that the device information type A is“type 1”, the controller 11 shifts the process to Step S140 in FIG. 7(Step S400; “type 1”→“Step S140”). In a case where it is determined thatthe device information type A is “type 2”, the controller 11 displays adisplay screen in which the device information is hidden (Step S400;“type 2”→Step S410). In a case where “close button” is selected on thedisplay screen, the controller 11 displays a home screen (Step S210 inFIG. 7 ), processes in Step S220 and Step S200 are executed.

Furthermore, in a case where the controller 11 determines that thedevice information type A is “type 3”, the processes pertaining to StepS420 to Step S470 corresponding to Step S140 to Step S200 in FIG. 7(Step S400; “type 3”→Step S420 to Step S470) are executed.

Herein, The device information type A according to the second embodimentwill be described with reference to FIG. 22 . FIG. 22 is a diagramillustrating a data configuration example of a user information tableaccording to the second embodiment.

The user information table illustrated in FIG. 22 includes “ID”,“password”, “user name”, and “device information type A”. The “ID”, the“password”, and the “username” are the same items included in theauthentication information table illustrated in FIG. 9A. The “deviceinformation type A” represents operation authority set for eachauthenticated user.

Herein, the type 1 is operation authorization given to a user who isallowed to operate a device from a body when the device information isdisplayed and the display of the device information is canceled. Thetype 2 is operation authority given to a user who is not allowed todisplay the device information and is only allowed to operate the devicefrom the body. The type 3 is operation authority given to a user who canoperate only from the displayed device information.

In other words, in the second embodiment, different operation authoritycan be given to each authenticated user. For example, a user who has anetwork connection problem in exchanging information via deviceinformation or a user who does not wish to remotely operate amultifunction peripheral should be given the operation authoritypertaining to the type 2, and only operation from the multifunctionperipheral body should be permitted. On the other hand, it is possibleto restrict operation from the body of the multifunction peripheral bygiving the operation authority according to the type 3 to the user whomay perform unnecessary operation on the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 22 is an example in which the “type 1” of the device informationtype A is set to the “user name Ai Ueo” pertaining to “ID 0001” and the“user name Kaki Kukeko” pertaining to “ID 0002”. Similarly, the “type 2”of the device information type A is set to the “user name Tachi Tsuteto”pertaining to “ID 0003”, and the “type 3” of the device information typeA is set to the “user name Nani Nuneno” pertaining to “ID 0004”.

FIG. 23A is a diagram illustrating a form of a display screen W40 a thatis displayed in a case where the device information type A is set to the“type 1”. In a case where the device information type A is the “type 1”,a QR code (registered trademark) as device information is displayed in adevice information display area R16, and a close button B22, whichreceives an instruction to cancel the display of device information(display screen W40 a), is also displayed. By the selection of the closebutton B22, the home screen W30 illustrated in FIG. 12 is displayed, anda user can operate from the body of the multifunction peripheral 10.

FIG. 23B is a diagram illustrating a form of a display screen W40 b thatis displayed in a case where the device information type A is set to the“type 2”. In a case where the device information type A is the “type 2”,the QR code (registered trademark) as device information is displayed inthe device information display area R16. However, the close button B22is displayed, and therefore the user can operate from the body of themultifunction peripheral 10 via the home screen W30.

FIG. 23C is a diagram illustrating a form of a display screen W40 c thatis displayed in a case where the device information type A is set to the“type 3”. In a case where the device information type A is the “type 3”,the QR code (registered trademark) as the device information isdisplayed in the device information display area R16, but the closebutton B22 is not displayed. The close button B22 is not provided, andtherefore the user cannot display the home screen W30, and cannotperform operation from the body of the multifunction peripheral 10.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possibleto reduce the trouble associated with the display of the deviceinformation, and different operation authority can be granted to eachauthenticated user, and give operation authority for each authenticateduser, and therefore it is possible to manage each authenticated user inaccordance with the operation authority, and perform more flexibledevice operation.

3 Third Embodiment

A third embodiment is a form in which determination informationpertaining to display propriety of device information is acquired from aterminal device 30.

3.1 Functional Configuration

A functional configuration of a multifunction peripheral according tothe third embodiment can be substantially similar to that of themultifunction peripheral 10 according to the first embodiment. Afunctional configuration of a terminal device can also be substantiallysimilar to that of the terminal device 30 according to the firstembodiment. Therefore, in the third embodiment, identical configurationswill be marked with the same reference numerals and the descriptionthereof will be omitted.

3.2 Flow of Process 3.2.1 Process of Multifunction Peripheral 10

The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the processafter the process pertaining to user authentication in Step S330 of FIG.8 , similar to the second embodiment. Therefore, Step S330 andsubsequent processes will be described with reference to the flowchartin FIG. 24 .

In a case where user authentication is successful in Step S330, acontroller 11 refers to a user information table (Yes in Step S330→StepS380). On the other hand, in a case where the user authentication is notsuccessful, the controller 11 returns the process to Step S320 (No inStep S330→Step S320).

The controller 11 refers to the user information table to determine adevice information type B for each authenticated user (Step S480).

In a case where it is determined that the device information type B is“type B ON”, the controller 11 shifts the process to Step S140 in FIG. 7(Step S480; “type B ON”→“Step S140”). In a case where it is determinedthat the device information type B is “type B OFF”, the controller 11displays a display screen in which the device information is hidden(Step S480; “type B OFF”→Step S490). In a case where “close button” isselected on the display screen, the controller 11 displays a home screen(Step S210 in FIG. 7 ), processes in Step S220 and Step S200 areexecuted.

Furthermore, in a case where the controller 11 determines that thedevice information type B is “type B EXT”, it is determined whether ornot display propriety determination information as determinationinformation pertaining to display propriety of the device information isreceived from the terminal device 30 (Step S480; “type B EXT”→StepS800).

In a case where it is determined that the display proprietydetermination information is received from the terminal device 30, andthe device information type B is the “type B ON”, the controller 11shifts the process to Step S140 in FIG. 7 (Step S810; “type B ON”→“StepS140”). In a case where it is determined that the device informationtype B is the “type B OFF”, the controller 11 displays the displayscreen with the hidden device information is displayed (Step S810; “typeB OFF”→“Step S490”). In a case where “close button” is selected on thedisplay screen, the controller 11 displays a home screen (Step S210 inFIG. 7 ), processes in Step S220 and Step S200 are executed.

In a case where the display the propriety determination information isnot received from the terminal device 30, the controller waits until thepropriety determination information is received (No in Step S810).

3.2.2 Process of Terminal Device 30

As to a flow of the process of the terminal device 30 according to thethird embodiment, only the transmission of the display ON/OFFinformation of the device information is added to the process pertainingto Step S510 described in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment, and the otherprocesses can be performed in the same manner. Therefore, the process ofthe terminal device 30 herein will be omitted.

FIG. 25A is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of auser information table according to the third embodiment.

The user information table illustrated in FIG. 25A includes “ID”,“password”, “user name”, and “device information type B”. The “ID”, the“password”, and the “username” are the same items included in theauthentication information table illustrated in FIG. 9A. The “deviceinformation type B” is an item that represents the display ornon-display of device information for each authenticated user as“ON/OFF”. The user information table differs from the user informationtable illustrated in FIG. 9D of the first embodiment in that thedetermination information pertaining to the display propriety of displaydevice information is acquired from the terminal device 30.

For example, for an authenticated user with “User Name Nani Nuneno”pertaining to “ID 0004”, “EXT” (acquire display propriety determinationinformation from the terminal device 30) is set as “device informationtype B”.

FIG. 25B is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of thedisplay propriety determination information transmitted to themultifunction peripheral 10 by the terminal device 30 in Step S510 ofFIG. 10 . FIG. 25B is an example of applying the setting of turning onthe display of device information to the authenticated user with “username Nani Nuneno” pertaining to “ID0004”.

3.3 Operation Example

Now, an operation example according to the third embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 26A and 26B. FIGS. 26A and 26B are adiagram illustrating an operation example in which the display proprietydetermination information is generated via an application screen W50 ofthe terminal device 30.

When a user selects an application setting button B40 included in afavorite list display area R20 of the application screen W50 illustratedin FIG. 26A, a controller 31 displays an application setting area R28illustrated in FIG. 26B. The application setting area R28 includes a QRdisplay setting item. The user can enable (ON) the display of the deviceinformation by selecting an ON button B42 provided in the applicationsetting area R28. On the other hand, in a case where the display of thedevice information is to be disabled (OFF), the user can set the displayof the device information to be disabled (OFF) by selecting an OFFbutton B44.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible toreduce the trouble associated with the display of the deviceinformation, and since the display propriety determination informationpertaining to the display determination of the device information isacquired from the terminal device and set, it is possible to performmore flexible device operation in cooperation with the terminal device.

4 Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment is a form related to an output system including amultifunction peripheral, a terminal device, and a network service. Theterminal device can execute a job of the multifunction peripheralthrough the network service.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an outputsystem 200 according to the fourth embodiment. The output system 200includes a multifunction peripheral 10, a terminal device 30, and anetwork service 50. The output system 200 can be separately providedwith an external authentication server (not illustrated) or the likethat authenticates a user to the multifunction peripheral 10.

The multifunction peripheral 10 is communicatively connected to thenetwork service 50 via a network (NW) illustrated in a solid line in thefigure. The terminal device 30 is configured so as to be able to acquiredevice information from the multifunction peripheral 10.

4.1 Functional Configuration

A functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral according tothe fourth embodiment can be substantially similar to that of themultifunction peripheral 10 according to the first embodiment. Afunctional configuration of a terminal device can also be substantiallysimilar to that of the terminal device 30 according to the firstembodiment. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, identicalconfigurations will be marked with the same reference numerals and theirdescription will be omitted.

4.1.1 Network Service 50

The network service 50 is a computing system, which is referred to as aso-called cloud, and provides a predetermined service such as aprocessing resource, a storage resource, and a delivery resource via,for example, a web browser. The service provided by the network service50 may be used by accessing from the multifunction peripheral 10 or theterminal device 30 via the network (NW) using any data communicationprotocol such as a transfer control protocol, an Internet protocol, andother protocols. The network service 50 includes one or more networkdevices as hardware. In the following description, when no specialhardware configuration is described, the hardware will be simplydescribed as the network service 50.

FIG. 28 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating aconfiguration example of the hardware included in the network service50. The network service 50 includes a controller 51, a display 53, anoperation inputter 55, a communicator 57, and a storage 59.

The controller 51 controls the overall network service 50. Thecontroller 51 is composed of, for example, one or more arithmeticdevices (such as CPUs). The controller 51 reads and executes variousprograms stored in the storage 59 to implement functions thereof.

The display 53 displays various pieces of information to a user and thelike. The display 53 can include, for example, an LCD, an organic ELdisplay, of the like.

The operation inputter 55 receives input of information performed by theuser or the like. As the operation inputter 55, an inputter such as akeyboard, a mouse, and a touchpad can be used, for example.

The communicator 57 includes either a wired or wireless interface orboth wired and wireless interfaces to communicate with other devices viaa LAN, a WAN, the Internet, a telephone line, or the like.

The storage 59 stores various programs needed for the operation of thenetwork service 50 and various types of data. The storage 59 may includea storage device such as a RAM, an HDD, an SSD, and a ROM.

In the fourth embodiment, the storage 59 stores a terminal deviceauthentication program 591, and a job transmission program 593, andensure a job storage area 595.

The terminal device authentication program 591 is a program read by thecontroller 51 when the connection with the terminal device 30 isauthenticated. The controller 51 which reads the terminal deviceauthentication program 591 authenticates the connection with theterminal device 30 on the basis of a session key of connectioninformation transmitted together with an external command when theexternal information including setting information is transmitted fromthe terminal device 30.

The job transmission program 593 is a program read by the controller 51when a job is transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 10. Thecontroller 51 that has read the job transmission program 593 searchesfor a job corresponding to the device ID of the multifunction peripheral10 to HTTPS (Hyper text transfer protocol secure) long polling from themultifunction peripheral 10, for example. In a case where the jobcorresponding to the device ID of multifunction peripheral 10 is storedin the job storage area 595, the controller 51 reads the job andtransmits the job to the multifunction peripheral 10.

The job storage area 595 is a storage area in which an external commandwith a job ID, transmitted from the terminal device 30, is stored. Thejob ID may also be given by the terminal device 30. In this case, theterminal device 30 only needs to give the job ID to setting informationand connection information included in the external command and transmitthe information to the network service 50. The controller 51 thatreceives the external command is stored as the job in the job storagearea 595.

Herein, FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration exampleof the job stored in the job storage area 595. The connectioninformation and the setting information is identical to thoseillustrated in FIG. 5A. The controller 51 that receives theseinformation as an external command gives a “job ID” (e.g., “#0001”) foruniquely identifying the job to the connection information and thesetting information, and stored these information in the job storagearea 595.

4.2 Flow of Process 4.2.1 Overall Process

Now, an overall process according to the fourth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 30 . The overall processdescribed with reference to FIG. 30 can be performed in substantiallythe same manner as the overall process described in FIG. 6 of the firstembodiment, except that the transmission destination of the externalcommand is the network service 50 and the destination of the jobacquisition is the network service 50. Therefore, identical step numberswill be given to parts that can be processed in the same manner, anddescription thereof will be omitted.

In Step S30, when the terminal device 30 acquires device informationfrom the multifunction peripheral 10, the terminal device 30 usesnecessary connection information included in the device information totransmit the generated setting information as a command to the networkservice 50 (Step S36).

The network service 50 stores the received command as a job in the jobstorage area 595 (Step S38).

The multifunction peripheral 10 performs, for example, HTTPS longpolling to the network service 50, and queries whether or not the job ofthe multifunction peripheral 10 exists (Step S40).

In a case where the job of the multifunction peripheral 10 exists, thenetwork service 50 establishes connection with the multifunctionperipheral 10 and transmits the job (Step S42).

The multifunction peripheral 10 executes the received job (Step S44).

The individual processes by the multifunction peripheral 10 and theterminal device 30 can be substantially similar to those in the firstembodiment and the like, and will not be described herein.

4.2.2 Process of Network Service 50

Now, a process of the network service 50 will be described withreference to FIG. 31 . The controller 51 of the network service 50determines whether or not an external command is received from theterminal device 30 (Step S700).

When it is determined that the external command is received, thecontroller 51 stores the setting information and the like included inthe external command with job ID in a job storage area 997 (Step S700;Yes→Step S710). On the other hand, when it is determined that noexternal command is received, the controller 51 waits until an externalcommand is received (Step S700; No).

Next, the controller 51 determines whether or not a request foracquiring a job by HTTPS long polling is received from the multifunctionperipheral 10, for example (Step S720).

When it is determined that the request for acquiring a job is received,the controller 51 determines whether or not a job corresponding to themultifunction peripheral 10 which receives the acquisition request isstored (Step S720; Yes→Step S730). On the other hand, when it isdetermined that the request for acquiring a job is not received, thecontroller 51 waits until the request for acquiring a job is received(No in Step S720).

In a case where it is determined that the job corresponding to themultifunction peripheral 10 which receives the acquisition request isstored, the controller 51 transmits the job to the multifunctionperipheral 10 (Yes in Step S730→Step S740). On the other hand, in a casewhere it is determined that the job corresponding to the multifunctionperipheral 10 which receives the acquisition request is not stored, thecontroller 51 performs error display and terminates the process (StepS730; No→Step S750).

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition tothe effects of the first embodiment, the job pertaining to an externalcommand transmitted from the terminal device is managed by the networkservice, and therefore it is possible to reduce the system resources andthe like of the terminal device for remote operation.

The present disclosure is not limited to each embodiment describedabove, and various modifications can be made. That is, the technicalscope of the present disclosure also includes an embodiment acquired bycombining technical measures modified as appropriate without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, although some parts of the above embodiments are describedseparately for convenience of explanation, it is needless to say thatthe embodiments may be combined and implemented within a technicallypossible range.

The programs that operate in each device in the embodiments are programsthat control CPUs and the like (programs that make computers function)to realize the functions of the embodiments described above.

According to the embodiment, it is assumed that the devicesimultaneously executes a plurality of programs as needed by a multitaskprocess. The information handled by these devices is temporarily storedin a temporary storage device (for example, a RAM) at the time of theprocess, and then stored in various storage devices such as a ROM and anHDD to be read, corrected, and written by the CPU as needed.

Herein, as the recording medium for storing the program, a semiconductormedium (e.g., a ROM or a non-volatile memory card), an optical recordingmedium/magneto-optical recording medium (e.g., a digital versatile disc(DVD), a magneto optical disc (MO), a mini disc (MD), a compact disc(CD), or a Blu-ray (BD) (registered trademark) disc, a magneticrecording medium (e.g., a magnetic tape or a flexible disc) or the likemay be used. The functions of the present disclosure may also berealized not only by executing the loaded programs, but also processingin cooperation with the operating system, other application programs, orthe like in accordance with the instructions of the programs.

Furthermore, when the program is to be distributed to the market, theprogram may be stored in a portable recording medium for distribution ortransferred to a server computer connected via a network such as theInternet. In this case, a storage device of the server computer is alsoincluded in the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing device comprising: acontroller; a device information generator that generates deviceinformation including identification information of a device; and a jobexecutor that is capable of executing a job with predetermined settingon the basis of an external command transmitted from a terminal device,wherein the controller displays the generated device information on theterminal device, and is capable of outputting the job with predeterminedsetting by controlling the job executor on the basis of the externalcommand transmitted from the terminal device that has read the displayeddevice information, and the controller determines propriety of displayof the device information according to setting of propriety of externalcommand operation for a user who is authenticated as an authenticateduser in an operation mode requiring user authentication.
 2. The imageprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the controllerdetermines the propriety of the display of the device information on thebasis of user information set for each user and including relevantinformation related to display of the device information.
 3. The imageprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the controllerdetermines the propriety of the display of the device informationaccording to whether or not the external command is received.
 4. Theimage processing device according to claim 1, wherein the controllerdetermines the propriety of the display of the device informationaccording to availability of a port.
 5. An image processing devicecomprising: a controller; a device information generator that generatesdevice information including identification information of a device; anda job executor that is capable of executing a job with predeterminedsetting on the basis of an external command transmitted from a terminaldevice, wherein the controller displays the generated device informationon the terminal device, and is capable of outputting the job withpredetermined setting by controlling the job executor on the basis ofthe external command transmitted from the terminal device that has readthe displayed device information, the controller determines propriety ofdisplay of the device information on the basis of user information setfor each user in an operation mode requiring user authentication, andthe user information includes information related to operation authorityto the image processing device.
 6. An image processing devicecomprising: a controller; a device information generator that generatesdevice information including identification information of a device; anda job executor that is capable of executing a job with predeterminedsetting on the basis of an external command transmitted from a terminaldevice, wherein the controller displays the generated device informationon the terminal device, and is capable of outputting the job withpredetermined setting by controlling the job executor on the basis ofthe external command transmitted from the terminal device that has readthe displayed device information, the controller determines propriety ofdisplay of the device information on the basis of user information setfor each user in an operation mode requiring user authentication, andthe user information includes information for determining propriety ofdisplay of the device information acquired from the terminal device. 7.The image processing device according to claim 1, comprising a wirelesscommunicator, wherein the controller communicates with the terminaldevice via the wireless communicator.
 8. An output system comprising: aterminal device; and an image processing device, wherein the terminaldevice includes: a controller; a device information acquirer thatacquires device information including identification information foridentifying the image processing device, the controller generates a userinterface that receives operation setting of the image processing deviceon the basis of a request by a user, and transmits, as a command, theoperation setting received via the user interface, the image processingdevice includes: a controller; a device information generator thatgenerates the device information including the identificationinformation of a device; and a job executor that is capable of executinga job with predetermined setting on the basis of the command, thecontroller displays the generated device information on the terminaldevice, and is capable of outputting the job with predetermined settingby controlling the job executor on the basis of the command transmittedfrom the terminal device that has read the displayed device information,and the controller determines propriety of display of the deviceinformation according to an authentication result of a user in anoperation mode requiring user authentication.
 9. An output systemaccording to claim 8, further comprising a network service including acontroller, and a storage that stores, as a job, the command receivedfrom the terminal device, wherein the controller transmits the jobcorresponding to the identification information of the image processingdevice to the image processing device according to a request from theimage processing device.
 10. An output method comprising generatingdevice information including identification information of a device;displaying the generated device information on a terminal device, andbeing capable of outputting a job with predetermined setting on thebasis of an external command transmitted from the terminal device thathas read the displayed device information; and determining propriety ofdisplay of the device information according to an authentication resultof a user in an operation mode requiring user authentication.